Nagasaki and Casinos Austria sign master agreement for IR
The Nagasaki Prefectural Government has signed a “master agreement” with Casinos Austria International Japan Inc for the development of an integrated resort.
Japan.- After the Nagasaki Prefectural Government announced Casinos Austria International Japan Inc as its partner for its IR bid, authorities have now signed a master agreement with the casino operator.
The agreement names the project the “Kyushu-Nagasaki IR”, referring to the Kyushu region, of which Nagasaki form a part. The Nagasaki Prefectural Government also revealed the planned total investment for the IR development is JPY350bn (US$3.2bn).
Hodo Nakamura, Nagasaki’s governor, said: “The operator’s business proposal is backed by a business track record in Europe and other international markets and aims to realise a traditional and luxurious integrated resort of the world’s highest standard.”
He added: “The Kyushu-Nagasaki IR will vitalise the local economy and tourism industry affected by Covid-19, and also contribute to the development of the Kyushu region and our country.”
Casinos Austria said its plans to build a casino resort with 220 gaming tables and 2,200 slot machines. It said the casino would have a total footprint of around 9,000 square metres (96,875 sq feet) and would “offer a gaming experience of the highest international standards.”
The group also plans to build eight hotels, conference and exhibition facilities with a variety of dining and retail options.
Casinos Austria currently operates 25 casinos in several countries and owns 12 casinos in Austria as well as a lottery business, Austrian Lotteries.
The prefecture will make a submission to Japan’s national government by 2022 in its bid for permission to develop an integrated resort. Nakamura expects to send the plan before April 28, 2022.
Japan’s Integrated Resorts Implementation Act, which foresees an initial three IRs, was implemented on July 19. The Implementation Act includes gross gaming revenue (GGR) calculation, internal controls for casino operations and verification of casino employees, among other rules.
